Nickelodeon CP Prez Pam Kaufman to Keynote BLE

Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products president Pam Kaufman will take part in a fireside chat with LIcense Global content director Amanda Cioletti as the opening keynote for Brand Licensing Europe 2018 (Oct. 9-11 in London). Kaufman will share her insights into the changing retail landscape, how the newly formed VNCP is positioned for success, and where consumer products fits into Viacom’s larger strategy.

“Brand Licensing Europe is one of the industry’s premiere events, and I am honored to be part of this year’s program,” said Kaufman. “2018 was a pivotal year in retail and also a year of big changes at Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products, as we became one globally unified team earlier this year. At VNCP, we have been meeting the changing retail landscape head on, reinventing everything from the content and products we make, to how we market and to whom.”

“In the Brands & Lifestyle Theatre, National Geographic’s Helen Mansell-Stopher will present a thought-provoking session on ethical licensing; Sanrio will discuss the creation of Little Miss Inventor and how it has capitalised successfully on the battle to get girls involved in STEM subjects; Richard Pink has a great session on driving value from promotional licensing, plus, we’ll have three food and beverage sessions with great case studies from licensees and licensors, including Chupa Chups,” commented BLE brand director Anna Knight.

“Meanwhile in the Licensing Academy, in addition to Pam’s keynote, LIMA UK managing director Kelvyn Gardner is planning a fantastic global licensing session featuring the LIMA Chapter Heads, the Moomin team will tell us all about the new Moominvalley animation and Billy Langsworthy from Mojo Nation is back with a Playing with Brands panel and a fireside chat with Tech Will Save Us. We also have our keynote on the IOC’s new licensing strategy. I would strongly advise visitors to arrive early – these sessions are going to be popular and busy.”

Marika Makaroff, creative director and executive producer of Gutsy Animations, and Sophia Jansson, creative director of Moomin Characters, will present “The Moominvalley Animation Series – creating a brand-new take on a beloved heritage brand’ in the Licensing Academy at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

They said: “In our seminar, we’ll take BLE visitors on a tour behind the scenes of the upcoming animated family TV drama Moominvalley, which will premiere worldwide in 2019. We’ll tell them how Gutsy animations is creating a new take on the beloved Moomins, created by Tove Jansson, using brand new innovative techniques in 3D CGI and working with the best talent in the entertainment industry. We’ll share what we’ve learnt about how to create a new visual style and story lines that work for artistic and merchandise purposes, while staying true to the originals loved by millions of dedicated fans all around the world.”

BLE expects more than 7,500 retailers, licensees and marketers to attend this year’s event, held once again at Olympia London. Registration for Europe’s definitive licensing industry event is available here!